Timeline

TSA published in the Federal Register a final rule for the Flight Training Security Program. The final rule updated the Program to improve its efficiency and effectiveness, including the security threat assessment process for flight training students. The Flight Training Security Program, which was established in 2004, covered flight training providers, including individual Certified Flight Instructors, who provided training to all flight students, with the exception of foreign military pilots training in the United States through a Department of Defense endorsement and in accordance with the U.S. International Military Education and Training Program. TSA expected the final rule to reduce delays, improve tracking candidate training events, and support the portability of a candidate\u2019s security threat awareness between providers. Providers would no longer pay for multiple event-based training security threat assessments.

TSA and DHS's Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) unveiled a prototype checkpoint technology, the self-service screening system, at Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) in Las Vegas. The self-service screening system is a prototype technology that TSA and S&T designed, developed and tested initially at the TSA Systems Integration Facility in Arlington, Virginia. The aim was to create a passenger screening process that is largely self-sufficient, where passengers could directly receive information about any alarms raised during their screening and resolve those alarms themselves. This approach sought to reduce the need for pat-downs or secondary screening procedures. In late 2021, S&T awarded contracts to three companies to develop self-screening concepts, prototypes and hardware.

TSA officers at Philadelphia International Airport tested new hand-held language translation-interpretation devices to support a more positive security checkpoint experience for individuals who have limited English proficiency, international travelers, and individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing or who are blind or have low vision. Since the rechargeable units work via Wi-Fi or data connection, they can be easily moved between checkpoint lanes as needed because they do not need to be tethered to an electrical outlet. The goal of this pilot was to allow TSA to evaluate the viability of these devices by assessing the ease and effectiveness of use and their impact on checkpoint operations.

In collaboration with the State of Arizona and Samsung, TSA accepted, for limited testing and evaluation purposes, Arizona-issued mobile driver's licenses and identification (ID) cards in Samsung Wallet on Samsung mobile devices. Passengers at the time would be able to use this feature at checkpoints for identity verification at 27 participating airports. All passengers, including those traveling through security with an Arizona mobile driver's license or ID, had to continue to carry (and have readily available) their physical driver's license or identification card, or any other acceptable ID listed on the TSA website. A physical ID may had been required for identity verification. TSA introduced the concept of the mobile driver's license in April 2021 with a notice in the Federal Register and a press release announcing a request for information regarding mobile driver's licenses.

TSA announced its expansion of TSA PreCheck with Telos Corporation, which offered TSA PreCheck enrollment services at 10 locations. This made Telos TSA's second official TSA PreCheck enrollment provider. Since TSA first launched the TSA PreCheck application program as a DHS Trusted Traveler Program for low-risk travelers in December 2013, active membership in the program grew to more than 15 million passengers. Telos began enrolling its first applicants during trial periods in Annapolis, MD., Chantilly, VA., Ashburn, VA. and Las Vegas. The company continued to expand enrollment services nationally and offered more convenient locations with expanded hours of operation.

TSA announced changes to the Certified Cargo Screening Program that enabled more shippers to enter the secure supply chain. On June 30, 2021, TSA mandated that all air cargo originating in the United States and destined for non-U.S. locations be screened or secured before being loaded onto an aircraft to meet international standards and to address potential threats to aviation. TSA actively encouraged indirect air carriers, manufacturing facilities, assembly facilities, shippers, warehouses and distribution centers to apply for and become a Certified Cargo Screening Facility. Becoming a Certified Cargo Screening Facility meant they would be certified by TSA to assemble, pack, secure and tender cargo for air transport in a secured manner, where no additional screening would be required.

TSA implemented the Transportation Security Compensation Plan, previously referred to as pay equity, for all TSA employees. No employee's salary was reduced as a result of the compensation plan. This plan honored the commitment by DHS Secretary Alejandro N. Mayorkas to invest in TSA's workforce through a modernized pay structure comparable with their colleagues on the federal government's General Schedule (GS) pay scale, regular step increases and a clear progression for pay mobility and growth. In December 2022, Congress approved and President Biden signed the fiscal year 2023 Omnibus Appropriations Act, which included funding that ensures TSA employees are paid at the same levels as their federal counterparts. Since the announcement of the compensation plan back in December 2022, TSA has witnessed a marked decrease in employee attrition levels, a subsequent rise in retention rates and increased applicant interest across various TSA job categories.

TSA announced an update to its Security Directive regarding oil and natural gas pipeline cybersecurity. Following a May 2021 ransomware attack that disrupted the supply chain, TSA issued security directives mandating that critical pipeline owners and operators implement urgently needed cybersecurity measures in light of the significant cyber threat facing the industry. This revised directive continued the effort to reinforce cybersecurity preparedness and resilience for the nation's critical pipelines. Developed with input from industry stakeholders and federal partners, including the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and the Department of Transportation, the reissued security directive for critical pipeline companies followed the initial directive announced in July 2021 and renewed in July 2022. The directive included updates that sought to strengthen the industry's defenses against cyberattacks.

TSA began accepting mobile IDs in Google Wallet on Android mobile devices, starting with Maryland. In collaboration with the State of Maryland and Google, the TSA accepted Maryland-issued mobile driver's licenses and ID cards at select TSA airport security checkpoints. TSA PreCheck passengers used this feature at checkpoints for identity verification at 25 participating airports. All passengers, including those traveling through security with a Maryland mobile driver's license or state ID, had to continue carrying and have readily available their physical driver's license or identification card, or other acceptable ID listed on the TSA website.

On June 9, 2023, TSA launched Academy West in Las Vegas, NV and marked the official opening of the facility with a ribbon cutting event attended by TSA Administrator David Pekoske, as well as other federal, county, and local officials. Academy West is a 26,000 square foot training facility located near Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas and can train 180 TSOs on a weekly basis.

On May 11, 2023 the Federal COVID-19 Public Health Emergency Declaration ends. Starting on May 12, 2023 TSA reverts back to pre-pandemic travel and safety protocols including the 3-1-1 liquids rule for hand sanitizer and the end of COVID-19 travel restrictions.

TSA announced the award of an Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract, with a value of up to $128 million, to Idemia Identity and Security USA, LLC for the second-generation Credential Authentication Technology (CAT-2) systems and support services at TSA security checkpoints. These systems substantially improved identity verification, validated the authenticity of a passenger's identification credential, confirmed pre-screening status and validated flight reservations. The second-generation CAT-2 systems allowed for automated identity verification with an integrated camera for biometric and self-service capabilities. This contract with Idemia enabled TSA to test, manufacture, procure and deploy over 1,500 new CAT-2 systems to airport security checkpoints nationwide.

TSA announced the award of three orders for a combined total value of nearly $1.3 billion for Computed Tomography (CT) scanners to include up to 426 base, 359 mid-size, and 429 full-size units for deployment across TSA checkpoints. This included the current procurement of 59 CT units for $42.9 million out of the FY 2023 funding of $105 million to procure a total of 136 units. Analogic Corporation provided base-size units, IDSS Holdings provided mid-size units, and Smiths Detection Incorporated provided full-size CT X-ray systems. Similar to what was used to scan checked baggage, this equipment was sized to fit the checkpoint environment. As of this day, approximately 634 CT units were installed.

TSA issued a new cybersecurity amendment (on an emergency basis) to the security programs of certain TSA-regulated airport and aircraft operators, following similar measures announced in October 2022 for passenger and freight railroad carriers. This was established as part of the DHS's efforts to increase the cybersecurity resilience of U.S. critical infrastructure and followed extensive collaboration with aviation partners. TSA took this emergency action due to persistent cybersecurity threats against U.S. critical infrastructure, including the aviation sector. The new emergency amendment required that impacted TSA-regulated entities develop an approved implementation plan describing measures they are taking to improve their cybersecurity resilience and prevent disruption and degradation to their infrastructure. Also, they needed to proactively assess the effectiveness of these measures.

TSA announced its TSA PreCheck application program surpassed 15 million active members, setting a new record for the program that began in December 2013. More than 19,200 individuals applied for TSA Recheck membership on February 21, 2023 - the highest for any single day in TSA's history. Thirty-two million travelers benefited from TSA PreCheck expedited screening after being vetted though TSA PreCheck, U.S. Customs and Border Protection's Global Entry or another federal vetting program.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) marked the 20th Anniversary of the Department's creation. President Joseph Biden joined DHS to recognize the years of progress. DHS held a ceremony at the DHS Headquarters at the St. Elizabeth's Campus in Washington, D.C. to honor the workforce and to recognize the 32,000 plank holders who joined DHS on its first day and continued to serve the Department after 20 years. The ceremony included special remarks by Secretary Alejandro N. Mayorkas, recorded messages from former Secretary Tom Ridge and former President George W. Bush, and a conversation with individuals across the Department who have served since its inception. Following the September 11th Terrorist Attacks, President George W. Bush established DHS by signing the Homeland Security Act of 2002. On March 1, 2003, 22 agencies unified under a single department with a common mission: to safeguard the American people. As the youngest but third largest cabinet, DHS's mission spanned across terrorism prevention, law enforcement, immigration services, emergency response and recovery, protective services, cybersecurity, transportation, pipeline, border and maritime security and more.

To better assist travelers with questions about airport security screening procedures, passengers may now send a text from any mobile device to "AskTSA" (275-872). A virtual assistant is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. For more complicated questions, AskTSA staff are available daily from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET. Passengers may still reach out to @AskTSA on Twitter or Facebook Messenger with questions and comments.

TSA intercepts a record number of firearms brought by passengers to airport security checkpoints in 2022. As of December 16, TSA has stopped 6,301 firearms, 88% of which were loaded. This number surpasses the previous record of 5,972 firearms detected in 2021. TSA prevented more than 6,500 firearms in carry-on bags from entering the secure area of airports in 2022, a nearly 10% increase over 2021's record level. In order to reduce the threat of firearms at checkpoints, TSA increased the maximum civil penalty for a firearms violation to $14,950.

The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023 supports critical efforts to modernize TSA's pay structure by including funding to bring TSA employee compensation in alignment with other federal agencies. TSA employees, in particular TSA's frontline workforce, have generally been paid up to 30% less than their federal counterparts. Congress approved TSA's pay equity plan in recognition of the critical work TSA employees do day in and day out to protect the nation's transportation systems. Effective July 1, 2023, TSA employees will be paid commensurate with employees on the General Schedule pay scale, honoring a commitment made by Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and TSA Administrator David Pekoske.

The Virtual Mission Hall Exhibit: Remembering the Past, Informing the Future, on www.TSA.gov/history is a digital experience of walking through Mission Hall and learning how TSA was created. The exhibit features interactive media, immersive imagery, and detailed historical information. It tells the story of how TSA was born from the tragedy of the events that occurred on September 11, 2001 and has evolved into the dynamic agency of today. Serving as a tribute to the entire workforce, the installation represents everyone who plays a vital role at TSA. Each piece tells a story sharing how TSA has changed and how real-world events have shaped the way we secure our homeland.

Fully updated as part of the move of headquarters from Arlington, Virginia to Springfield, Virginia in 2020, Mission Hall documents the establishment, evolution, technology, and timeline of events critical to the history of TSA. This exhibition is an introductory, educational, and commemorative place where TSA personnel and visitors can learn about the agency and its responsibilities, as well as experience a solemn memorial and take a moment to remember why TSA was created.

TSA publishes its first Innovation Doctrine, a guiding document encouraging innovative thinking and defining the agency's critical next steps after 20 years of growth. The doctrine ensures TSA is positioned to outpace evolving threats to the transportation system. The Innovation Doctrine is the first of its kind publication across the government and will inform future strategic guidance for TSA.

TSA has deployed a new technology that allows some passengers to use their state-issued mobile driver's license or mobile ID to verify their identity for airport screening. Travelers can add a digital version of their license or state ID issued by Arizona or Maryland to their Apple Wallet on iPhone or Apple Watch.

This new capability is currently available at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport, and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport for TSA PreCheck® passengers from Arizona and Maryland. To present their ID in Apple Wallet, passengers tap their iPhone or Apple Watch at TSA's Credential Authentication Technology reader. The TSA officer verifies the passenger's identity and flight status for a secure, fast, convenient and touchless identity verification experience.

TSA is also working with additional states and piloting digital ID technology at various airport checkpoints around the country.

TSA announces the award of two orders for a combined total value of up to $781.2 million for the procurement and maintenance of base and full-size Computed Tomography (CT) x-ray systems for carry-on items at TSA checkpoints.

TSA announces Security Directives and guidance for voluntary measures to strengthen cybersecurity across the transportation sector in response to ongoing cybersecurity threats to surface transportation systems and infrastructure. These Directives require owners and operators to: designate a cybersecurity coordinator; report cybersecurity incidents to the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) within 24 hours; develop and implement a cybersecurity incident response plan to reduce the risk of an operational disruption; and, complete a cybersecurity vulnerability assessment to identify potential vulnerabilities.

TSA recognizes the 20th anniversary of the agency’s creation with a special ceremony at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport’s original Terminal A historic lobby. On this date and in this same terminal 20 years ago, President George W. Bush signed and enacted into law the Aviation and Transportation Security Act, establishing TSA to safeguard the nation’s transportation systems against the threat of a future attack.

TSA commemorates the 20th anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks with an outdoor ceremony at the agency's headquarters. Current and former agency officials are among those who attended the event to hear keynote remarks provided by former Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security Michael P. Jackson, who was the Deputy Secretary of Transportation on September 11, 2001.

Created in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks, TSA was established by the Aviation and Transportation Security Act passed by the 107th Congress and signed into law by President George W. Bush on November 19, 2001. The mission of the new agency was to protect the nation's transportation systems to ensure the freedom of movement for people and commerce.

TSA launched @AskTSA in 2016 to provide quality, real-time responses to traveler concerns and answer questions about a variety of topics, such as the security screening process and how to retrieve lost items. The new automated Spanish-language virtual assistant is the agency's first fully integrated foreign language service on social media platforms. Spanish-speaking travelers can get quick answers about airport security procedures by sending their questions to @AskTSA.

In response to ongoing cybersecurity threats to the nation's critical transportation infrastructure, TSA issues a second Security Directive for pipeline systems. The directive requires owners and operators of TSA-designated critical pipelines that transport hazardous liquids and natural gas to implement urgent safeguards against cyber intrusions.

TSA reopens the Innovation Checkpoint at Las Vegas McCarran International Airport (later renamed Harry Reid International Airport) after the pandemic. TSA developed the Innovation Checkpoint in 2019 to evaluate emerging security technologies in a side-by-side, live checkpoint environment. TSA uses the data it collects from the Innovation Checkpoint to develop requirements for future investments in technologies that enhance TSA's security effectiveness, streamline checkpoint operations and improve the passenger screening experience at airports nationwide.

ETSA installs touchless automated photo identification scanners at all of Los Angeles International Airport's (LAX) security screening checkpoints, making it the first airport in the country to be fully outfitted with Credential Authentication Technology (CAT). Additional Information

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, TSA announced that one liquid hand sanitizer container up to 12 ounces per passenger, is allowed in carry-on bags until further notice.

On September 3, 2019, TSA unveiled the Innovation Checkpoint, a collaborative effort between TSA's Innovation Task Force and the McCarran International Airport that allows for side-by-side testing and evaluation of emerging security technologies in a live checkpoint environment. Data collected from these demonstrations will help develop requirements for future innovative capabilities that will enhance TSA's security effectiveness and improve the passenger experience.

Technologies that are being evaluated in the Innovation Checkpoint span all aspects of the traveler security screening experience: digital signage, Credential Authentication Technology units, Computed Tomography scanners, and an enhanced Advanced Imaging Technology (eAIT) body scanner.

In partnership with TSA, Denver International Airport is the first U.S. airport to operate next generation Enhanced Advanced Imaging Technology (eAIT) for checkpoint security screening. The equipment has enhanced detection capabilities that improve security and may help improve the passenger experience. 

The FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018, Public Law 115-254, was signed, which included the TSA Modernization Act, and marked the first ever reauthorization of TSA since the agency's founding in 2001. The bill authorized TSA to continue as an agile and modern national security organization, capable of dealing with ever-evolving threats to the transportation system. The reauthorization act empowered TSA to expand field operations testing of advanced screening technologies, increased the use of canine resources, and enhanced public area security. It will also improve passenger and cargo security, cockpit and cabin security, surface transportation security, and foreign airport security.

TSA announced plans to test CT scanners, a state-of-the-art, 3-D technology at select U.S. airport checkpoints. As the agency continues to raise the baseline for aviation security, the new technology enhances critical explosives and other threat-item detection capabilities at airport checkpoints. The system applies sophisticated algorithms for the detection of explosives and creates a 3-D image that can be viewed and rotated on three axes for thorough, visual, image analysis by a TSA officer.

TSA and Los Angeles World Airports partnered to demonstrate two security checkpoint technologies that were piloted at Los Angeles International Airport. U. S. Customs and Border Patrol was a partner in the pilot program that used facial recognition technology to automate the identification and boarding pass verification process. The second pilot project featured an enhanced Advanced Imaging Technology (eAIT) unit with increased detection capabilities.

To ensure the security of airline passengers and U.S. airports, TSA begins implementing new, stronger domestic screening procedures for carry-on items that require travelers to place all personal electronics larger than a cell phone in bins for X-ray screening in standard lanes. TSA continues to work closely with airports and airlines to enhance security measures and stay ahead of the evolving threat.

To raise the baseline for aviation security worldwide, TSA develops enhanced screening measures at overseas airports with direct flights to the United States. Security measures include, but are not limited to: heightened screening of personal electronic devices; increasing security protocols around aircraft and in passenger areas; and deploying advanced technology, expanding canine screening, and establishing additional preclearance locations.

TSA, in collaboration with industry partners, begins deploying state-of-the-art automated screening lanes. Security enhancement features include unique radio frequency identification tags attached to bin to allow for additional accountability of items and cameras that capture photos of the outside of the bag that are linked to the X-ray images of the bag's contents.

TSA utilizes testing teams to identify areas and means of improving detection and resolution capabilities. TSA requires enhanced screening at select overseas airports with direct flights to the United States and increases the number of random searches of passengers and carry-on luggage boarding aircraft at U.S. airports.

Terrorists become increasingly interested in circumventing airport security screening by concealing improvised explosive devices inside commercial electronics, physical areas of the body, cargo, shoes/clothing and cosmetics/liquids.

TSA makes numerous operation enhancements to advanced imaging technology and explosives trace detection, to complement technologies already in use. TSA focuses on improved pat-down procedures for alarm resolution and specialized screening requirement for select passengers at a number of international and domestic airports.

Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula releases an issue of Inspire magazine, which discusses aviation as a target of attack and details how to build nonmetallic IEDs, which airlines to attack and where to place the devices on a plane.

The first TSA PreCheck® application center opens at Indianapolis International Airport. U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents can apply for TSA PreCheck® by providing biographic information, fingerprints, payment, and identity and citizenship/immigration documentation. This allows TSA to provide the most effective security in the most efficient way by focusing on unknown, high-risk individuals.

The FBI, in cooperation with foreign intelligence and security officials, publicly reports the seizure, outside of the United States, of an explosive device resembling an underwear bomb used in previous attempts to attack civil aviation targets.

TSA begins TSA PreCheck® operations at McCarran International Airport. TSA PreCheck® is an expedited screening program that makes risk assessments about passengers prior to their arrival at an airport checkpoint. It provides expedited screening for known and trusted travelers at security checkpoints, allowing TSA to focus resources on high-risk and unknown passengers.

Air cargo shipments to the United States from Yemen are suspended indefinitely. Passengers are prohibited from having printer cartridges in carry-on baggage.

British and United Arab Emirates authorities intercept two IEDs concealed in printer cartridges aboard two separate cargo planes from Yemen. Authorities determine the IEDs were intended to detonate during flights to the United States.

TSA achieves 100 percent pre-screening for all covered domestic air carrier flights within, in-bound for, or out-bound from the United States using the Secure Flight system.

TSA begins formally installing hundreds of advanced imaging technology units at U.S. airports. These units, also known as "full-body scanners," are designed to detect non-metallic weapons explosives and other threats, which could be concealed under layers of clothing and may evade traditional metal detectors. By the end of 2010, approximately 500 AIT machines are deployed nationwide.

Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula extremist Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, while aboard a flight from Amsterdam to Detroit, tries to detonate an improvised explosive device concealed in his underwear.

TSA deploys proprietary canine teams to aid in the screening of 100 percent air cargo loaded on U.S. passenger aircraft. TSA later expands the program to include passenger and baggage screening at airports.

A month after the implementation of the original liquids ban, TSA amends its rules governing liquids in passenger carry-on baggage and allows airline passengers to carry liquids, gels and aerosols in containers of only 3.4 ounces or less in a single, clear, resealable 1-quart plastic bag.

TSA enhances security measures to include more random screening of employees, additional canine patrols, stronger air cargo security measures, more rigorous identity verification standards and deploying more trained security officers in bomb appraisal and screening by observation techniques.

In addition to new security measures, TSA also deploys federal air marshals overseas to counter the evolving threat to aviation security.

Based on intelligence pointing to a continuing threat, TSA requires passengers to remove shoes to screen for explosives.

Terrorists plot to detonate liquid explosives carried onboard at least 10 airliners traveling from the UK to United States and Canada. British Police foil the plot. In response, TSA bans all liquids, gels and aerosols from passenger carry-on luggage.

In response to events such as the 2004 Madrid train bombings, TSA establishes visible intermodal prevention and response teams to enhance security of rail and mass transit systems.

In accordance with ATSA and a January 2002 mandate, TSA works with the FAA and air carriers to reinforce cockpits doors on commercial aircraft in order to protect from intrusion, small-arms fire and fragmentation devices such as grenades. By April 2003, all air carriers meet the requirement.

The federal flight deck officer program is created in response to the Arming Pilots Against Terrorism Act signed into law in November 2002. TSA begins training flight-deck personnel to carry firearms in early 2003 and the first armed pilots are aboard commercial flights by April.

TSA meets a key mandate of the Aviation and Transportation Security Act by deploying explosives detection systems nationwide to screen all bags for explosives.

Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) in Baltimore, Maryland, becomes the first federalized airport in the country.

Richard Reid, later known as the shoe bomber, uses matches in an attempt to ignite explosive devices hidden in his shoes on a flight from Paris to Miami.

President Bush signed the Aviation and Transportation Security Act into law requiring screening conducted by federal officials, 100 percent checked baggage screening, expansion of the Federal Air Marshal Service and reinforced cockpit doors. TSA is created to oversee security in all modes of transportation.

Nineteen terrorists hijack four U.S. airliners and crash two into the New York World Trade Center and one into the Pentagon; the fourth crashes in Pennsylvania. Thousands are killed in the deadliest terrorist attack on American soil.